Turner County herald. (Hurley, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1887-06-16
RUTH WALDRON.
BY J. H. SPENCER.

by J. H. SPENCER.
The events recorded in this story oc-
Cured in Virginia in the latter part of the
seventeenth century, when the sold
Dominion" was still wilderness, and the
abode of wild beasts and savages.
1t was n calm and beautiful night in
October. In the center of an Indian vii
lage, full thirty miles from the settlement
OF Jamestown, was young man bound
securely TO tree. He could not have
seen over twenty summers; but even that
time had been sufficient to develop in his
frame and features the strong stamp of
manhood. He was over six feet in height,
with broad shoulders, muscular and we'll
formed limbs, showing an abundance of
physical strength and nerve, and an easy
| carriage. His face was considerably dark
ened from much exposure to the rays Of
the sun and the beatings of the storm; his
eyes were of o dark gray color, and his
abundant, curly, dark brown hair and
beard was as fine and glossy as silk.
The young man was habited in hunters
garb, consisting Of light-blue shirt of
stout linen stuff, which was secured about
the waist by leathern belt. A pair of
deerskin leggings, laced at the sides,
pair of moccasins, and light fur cap
completed his attire. AS we find him now
he is leaning against the tree to which he is
securely bound by stout deerskin thongs,
while his eyes are bent upon the ground at
his feot. Such is o picture Of Reuben
Hayes, who was captured at sunset by q
party of savages; and morrow he is to
die horrible death by torture.
The bright harvest moon was nearing the
zenith, and the village was wrapt in slum-
Der, when the sound of footstep ap-
proaching him caused him to look up. A
young and beautiful girl, arrayed in the
indian costume, and carrying n bundle in
her hand, stood before him.
aHist!" said she, in English. II have come
to save you"
aAh, do you speak Ianglish?" he whis-
pered, in the same language.
@Yes," she replied, as she proceeded to
cut the thongs that bound him. at is my
native tongue"
But how came you herepn he asked.
Who ny tHe iuNldDS Blk years
ago, when l was 10 years old, and hive
lived here ever s;nce.n replied the girl.
aBut We are wasting time. If you will dis
guise yourself with these Indian garments
I have brought you, you can easily pass the
sentinels."
But you do not wish to remain here?"
said Reuben. aYou will come with me?"
l1, ,1o,, 1,otL
should attempt TO leave the village with
you tonight, said the girl. @I would be
recognized by the sentinels, of which there
isan extra force tonight If you would
help me, be at the little spring near the
river, at midnight, a week hence. can
easily steal away from the old squaw, who
is my keeper, then, and meet you"
II will be there, said Reuben, as he
donned the disguise the girl had brought
him. aBut before go I must know the
mar ie of her who Las saved me-"
Ruth Waldron is my true name" said
the girl; abut among the Indians am
known as The WhiteLily.' In two more
moons I am TO become the squaw of
Ensenore, the chief of this village pre-
fer death to such q fate! Oh, sir, you will
save me2 But it is time you were gone. p
II will saye you. Reuben Hayes was
never known to brenk his word" replied
he; and moment later he had safely
passed the sentinels and was making his
way through the forest, in the direction of
the jamestown colony.
The story of the fair captive had strongly
excited his sympathy, and her sweet face
had made a deep impression upon his
Imagination, and he longed, with an impa-
tience he could hardly control, to be again
by her side. He was also fearful lest harm
should befall her during his absence.
After her meeting with Reuben
Hayes Ruth worked with lighter
heart and renewed strength, helping the
squaws bring in tho scanty harvest from
the fields. Another week would change
her surroundings entirely. She could
hardly realize it. Could it be possible that
she was SO soon to leave the scene OF her
trying life of captivity behind her? But
what if he should not return2 Her story
may have interested him at the time, even
aroused his sympathies; but afterwards
it was but natural he should, on returning
to his friends, forget all about her and her
misery. What did she know of him2 They
had met but once; still her belief in him
was strong. though wavering at the same
time. Had he not promised to save her?
and surely he was a man who would keep
his promise, il any man was.
Upon the seventh evening after her meet
ing with Reuben Hayes quiet reigned at
the Indian village, where all had retired
except Ruth. She sat meditating upon re-
cent events, her bosom stirred with the
hope of speedy deliverance, and fear lest
untoward circumstances should prevent
Reuben from executing the plan for her
rescue. After time her attention was at
tracted by peculiar sounds breaking upon
the stiffness of the night. These, at first,
faint and distant, gradually grew nearer
and louder, TN, trembling, she recog-
nized the yells of the savages, who
we're returning through the forest re-
joicing over the atrocities they had
committed. She aroused the women to
prepare for the wanderers, who, bounding
like deer through the forest, soon burst
into the village and threw themselves upon
the ground, calling upon the women for
food and drink. In order to help the
sguaws provide for their impatient lords
Ruth offered to carry out some provisions.
" she appeared the warriors greeted her
With shout, calling her Ensenore's pretty
squaw. She did not reply. but moved
about silently among them, mortified at
taair revolving account Of an attack upon a
lons settler house, where, having uur-